Chapter 10
Yi Jung took a deep breath and adjusted his blue tie in the mirror. He thought about Ga Eul and closed his eyes pinching the bridge on the top of his nose. He had no idea how he had gotten through the day, all he could think about was her and how he did not want to hurt her again but he knew he had to try this again; he had to be with her once again.
He turned around hearing a knock on his door.
"Hey, what's up?" Yi Yung asked.
"Nothing much, you ready for your big date?" Woo Bin asked throwing himself on the couch and leaning his head back on the rest.
"Ready as I will ever be" Yi Jung said pulling his gray suit jacket on but stopped when he noticed Woo Bin place his elbows on his knees and run his hand through his hair, "Hey, is everything okay?"
"Yeah" Woo Bin looked up but he paused until he finally said, "Yeah, everything is fine"
"You are a terrible liar" Yi Jung said.
Woo Bin stood up and pulled a small box from his pocket and placed it on the small table close by.
Yi Jung picked up the box and opened it. A shiny diamond ring stared back at him and Yi Jung frowned.
"I don't understand, why" Yi Jung started to say but stopped realizing what it was for, or rather who it was for.
"Woo Bin, you can't do this. If this ring is for the person I am thinking of then you really can't do this" Yi Jung said.
"My umm, my father came by my office today and dropped that off and gave me instructions so I told him I would not do it" Woo Bin said looking at the ground.
"So why do you still have the ring?" Yi Jung asked.
"He told me that if I don't propose to my girlfriend then he will tell Tae about Jae Kyung. He said and I quote "do you take me for stupid man? You don't talk to a girl every single week for a year without something being there"" Woo Bin said finally taking a deep breath.
"Are you serious? He told you that he would tell Tae, the same man that wants to see you and your father dead" Yi Jung tried to wrap his mind around the crazy idea.
"Yeah and there is a deadline" Woo Bin said almost laughing at the ridiculous situation.
"What?" Yi Jung raised his voice.
"Yep, I am supposed to propose in two days' time, at your art exhibit opening, so all that media could be there"
Yi Jung shook his head and anger rose inside of him.
"Listen, I don't want you to be upset, go to your date, I am just going to go home" Woo Bin said putting the box back in his pocket.
"No, I will cancel my date and stay and we can talk" Yi Jung said.
"No. No way, I will not let you miss your date for something we can't do anything about" Woo Bin said heading for the door.
"No listen" Yi Jung tried to say but Woo Bin stopped him and said,
"Go on your date and try not to mess it up to badly, I will be just fine".
Yi Jung gave up. He knew Woo Bin. He knew he had to tell somebody but he always wanted to be alone when something likes this happen.
"Fine but I will call you tomorrow" Yi Jung said.
"Okay, good night" Woo Bin said leaving the room and heading for his car.
Yi Jung wanted to punch a wall. He could not believe Woo Bin's father. He knew that Woo Bin would propose because he cared too much for Jae Kyung and he would never let anything happen to her. Yi Jung picked up his cell phone and dialed Ji Hoo's number as he grabbed his car keys.
"Hey" Ji Hoo answered.
"Hey, can you do me a favor and go over to Woo Bin's house" Yi Jung said.
"Yeah sure, is everything okay?" Ji Hoo asked.
"His father is being" Yi Jung passed to try and find the right word.
"He is being a dick" Ji Hoo said and as much as it was a serious matter Yi Jung could not help but laugh.
"Yeah I guess you could say that" Yi Jung said getting in his car.
"Alright, I will go over now. Have fun on your date. Don't mess it up too bad" Ji Hoo said.
"Yeah, yeah" Yi Jung said before hanging up and turning on his car.
Ga Eul took a deep, exaggerated breath as she observed her figure in the mirror. The deep blue dress ended right above her knees and the v cut showed of her petite figure.
Don't chicken out now Ga Eul she thought to herself, this is what you have been waiting for and now you are nervous.
Before she could think about anything else, she heard the doorbell ring throughout the house. She took one last look at herself and pushed her wavy hair behind her shoulder as she went towards the door. She opened the door and Yi Jung's smile faced her and she could not help but smile as well.
"Hi" she said.
"Hi" he said, "You look stunning"
"Thank you" she said, "You don't look so bad yourself"
He chuckled and she said,
"Let me just grab my bag".
Yi Jung opened his car door for her and she smiled at him causing the air in his lungs to escape. It was going to be a long night for him. Every move she made, made him nervous with anticipation.
Fifteen minutes later Yu Jung had driven past down town Seoul and his car was now heading up a remote area.
"You know" Ga Eul said, "If it was any other girl, she would be worried right about now that we are in a dramatic movie where the pretty boy is actually a killer" she laughed and he did as well.
"You think I am a pretty boy? "he asked, "And why aren't you worried?"
"Well Sir Casanova it's not just your charm that gets the girls and no I am not scared because I know that if you did anything to me all the boys would kill you and I include Jan Di and Jae Kyung in the boys besides I am not scared of you" she said smiling.
"Very true" he said "they would kill me but I would not dream of hurting you" he smiled back at her as he stopped in front of an all glass building.
He stepped out of the car and opened the door for her. She took his hand as she stepped out of the car but instead of walking forward he closed the car door and wrapped his had around her waist pushing her on his body. Her breath caught in her throat and her cheeks became a slight pink color when he said,
"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"
"Once or twice" she smiled and something about his kind words and their surroundings made her reached up and run her left hand through his hair as she pulled him in for a kiss. Taken back but pleasantly surprised, Yi Jung only missed a beat before making their kiss passionate and savory. His left hand wrapped around her back and his right hand gently grabbed her neck and the back of her head. They were lost in a world all their own when a voice said,
"Alright kids break it up"
Yi Jung took a deep breath and laughed after he broke their kiss and still held her close.
"How are you my friend?" Yi Jung said to the man shaking his hand.
"Great but it seems you are better" his friend laughed.
"Ga Eul this is my friend Dong Min and this is Ga Eul, my girlfriend" Yi Jung introduced them and Ga Eul could not help but smile.
"Please to meet you" she said extending her hand.
"The pleasure is all mine" Dong Min said kissing her hand and smiling.
"Alright alright" Yi Jung said.
"Never thought I would see the day when Yi Jung had a proper woman by his arm and he was jealous" Dong Min laughed leading them inside.
"I like him" Ga Eul whispered to Yi Jung as she giggled.
"Of course you do" he chuckled and gave her a small kiss on the cheek.
"This is my new restaurant" Dong Min said. Ga Eul looked around and smiled. It was absolutely beautiful. It was surrounded by all glass from floor to ceiling, the square tables where draped with crisp white table cloths, the fresh cut flowers served as the center pieces and the regal blue napkins added the needed pop of color.
"This is beautiful, congratulations" Ga Eul said and smiled.
"Thank You, we open next week but I wanted my good friend and his especially beautiful girlfriend to be my first customers".
"What an honor, thank you" Ga Eul politely said.
"Right this way to your special table for two" Dong Mon said.
He led them outside to the beautiful terrace. Downtown Seoul was at your fingertips and the bright lights of the city contrasted beautifully with the trees surrounding them; it made for a breathtaking landscape.
"Wow, the view is incredible" Ga Eul said gently leaning against the glass by their table.
"Yeah, the view is pretty breath taking" Yi Jung said looking at her perfection against the bright lights.
"I hear you" Dong Min whispered to Yi Jung, "Don't mess this up".
"I'll try my best" Yi Jung said right before Ga Eul turned around and smiled at them. She was already having an incredible time; she felt like she was floating, here at this amazing new restaurant with the person she had and still loved most.
"Well service will get started soon so I should head back to the kitchen" Dong Min said, "Again it was a pleasure to meet you Ga Eul and I hope you enjoy the diner".
"Thank you, I am sure I will" Ga Eul said as Yi Jung pulled the chair out for her.
"So how is your gallery opening going?" Ga Eul asked Yi Jung a few minutes later as they enjoyed their entrée and champagne.
"It's getting there, now that I finished all the pieces I can focus on the layout of the gallery and now that I can have some peace of mind not constantly thinking about you and your ex-boyfriend, I can actually accomplish some work" he said honestly.
She blushed and said,
"You know, I waited a really long time for you to come to your senses, just when I thought I had finally broken through, you left for a year without word" she said, the sadness in her voice made Yi Jung cringe.
"I know and I am sorry, I just" he paused and she looked up at him across the table, "I know you told me a long time ago that I was actually afraid of getting hurt myself and you were right, I was selfish before that night, Jan Di and Jun Pyo's wedding. That night I realized that I loved you and then the fear reversed. The way I am, the way I was" he corrected himself, "I knew the type of life I am part of, you would somehow end up being hurt. I would rather see you with someone else than hurt the way I hurt you" he looked down.
"But I don't understand" she said.
"But, I thought I was going to check myself into a mental hospital when I saw you with your ex. In my head it would be able to bear it but in reality it was a whole different story" he laughed a little remembering his manager's face when he showed him all the broken vases.
"I know it's hard for you to wear your heart on your sleeve but am I supposed to believe you are this changed man?" Ga Eul asked.
"You have every right to doubt me but I just ask that you take this last leap of faith with me and if I mess up in any way, you will never have to speak to me again" he said and she relaxed in her seat seeing the determination in his kind, handsome face.
"I guess so" she said teasing him and they both chuckled.
The chocolate mousse dessert came out and Ga Eul was in heaven. Chocolate was her favorite and the fresh raspberries and mint on top made the whole thing delicious.
"I am worried about Jae Kyung" Ga Eul said exhaling a breath as she placed her spoon down.
"I know, I am worried about Woo Bin as well" Yi Jung said, "I did not want to worry you further this past weekend but that time that Woo Bin said he was away on business to Jae Kyung this past year that they were in constant contact, he was actually ambushed leaving work and he got shot in the hip trying to protect on of his new bodyguard who had just been hit, I flew back just for those few days" he paused and looked down, "I thought I was going to lose him that day, we all did".
"I am really sorry" she said touching his hand across the table. He looked up when he felt her warm touch and smiled.
"Well enough with the sentimentalism" he said clearing his throat, standing up and helping her out of the chair, I hope you enjoy the show".
"Show?" she asked but in an instant fireworks erupted in the sky and Ga Eul instantly smiled. They were every single color and glitter she could possible imagine and again she felt like she was on cloud nine.
"What is it with you guys and fireworks?" she laughed, teasing him a bit.
"I know you were happy the first time I did them so this time wouldn't hurt" he said wrapping him arm around her waist and holding her tightly by his side.
"No, it definitely does not hurt" she smiled.
"Oh I almost forgot" he said pulling a small box out of his pocket, "This is for you" he said opening the box and revealing a beautiful ring which looked familiar to Ga Eul. It was identical to his crown ring but on the top of each small crown there was elegantly placed deep emerald stone.
"It almost identical to yours" she said.
"Yeah it is and one day I will tell you the story of both but for today this ring signifies my promise and by taking it you do me the great honor of being my girlfriend" he said and held his breath for her response even though he was pretty sure of the answer.
"Of course" she smiled and he put the ring on her finger; it was a perfect fit. Ga Eul could not describe it but the ring did not look new, it was definitely never worn but it almost had a vintage look, it looked as old as his.
After the fireworks they said thank you to Dong Min once again and 25 minutes later they were in front of Ga Eul's house.
They stood in front of her door and Yi Jung smiled at her. The night could not have gone more perfect.
"Well thank you for tonight" she said.
"No problem, I guess this is good night. I will call you tomorrow" he said.
"Okay" she said in a small voice; she did not know if she was ready to be bold but when he smiled and turned around to go to his car she gently grabbed his arm and he stopped. Before he could ask her is everything was okay she pulled him towards her body.
"Ga Eul" he whispered, his voice was laced with emotion and a need for her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pushed her into his body as her breath shortened. He lowered his head for his lips to meet hers and a moan escaped his throat as soon as he felt her soft lips on his.
He pushed her against her front door and continued kissing her. It felt like he was making up for all the time he had been gone, all those times he had wished she was there with him, next to him, close to him, waking up next to him every morning. He took his time and tasted her lips.
She dropped her clutch on the ground and ran her hands through his hair and arched her back. Yi Jung slowly, agonizingly broke away and they both took deep breaths.
"Ga Eul" he breathed by her ear, "You are driving me crazy".
He did not know what the feeling inside his body was. With every other girl there had never been any connection. It was purely physical but with Ga Eul, he felt a pure euphoric connection by just tasting her lips. His control was on a thin line and he was scared of what he would do if he stayed a minute longer.
Her cheeks were flushed but she said,
"I never knew a country bumpkin like me would drive you crazy".
He chuckled but he held her close still. The champagne in her system was making her bolder that usual and her body was acting without her thinking first. She grabbed the lapels of his jacket and brought him centimeters away from her lips.
"I umm, I should probably go" he whispered against her lips. Who am I? he thought to himself, stuttering like a teenage boy but his thoughts were cut short when she said,
"Go? What if I wanted you to say the night?" she whispered against his lips before kissing him again. He was in shock, from her kiss, her words, and her boldness. He suddenly felt himself getting hard when she unlocked the front door and brought him inside and pressed him against the wall continuing to kiss him. She kissed his neck as she stripped him of his jacket and threw it on the floor. His hands reached down to her hips as he switched positions with her and pinned her on the wall. He took a break from her lips to catch his breath but he continued to kiss her neck and slowly made his way down to her collar bone and eventually to her breasts. She arched her back in response to his kisses and her whole body felt like it was on fire when he looked up at her.
"Ga Eul" he said, she could hear the emotion in his voice, "are you sure you want to do this?"
She bit her lower lip and blinked rapidly, he could see her hesitation and he did not blame her. He wanted their first time to be perfect and as far as he remembered it would be her first time ever so he wanted to wait until she was comfortable.
He smiled as he took her hand in his. He kissed her hand and said,
"Come on, let's make some tea".
Her hesitant face turned to a smile following him to the kitchen.
…
Woo Bin tried to shut his eyes even more. He rolled over and lazily opened one eye to see his clock read 6:00AM. He groaned internally and sat up in bed. He looked across his room and saw the little box sitting on his table. He pinched the top of his nose and closed his eyes briefly.
He decided to go for a run since he felt like his head was going to explode. He ran until his lungs burned trying not to think about anything. He checked his watch and it read 6:45AM; he had a meeting at 8AM but he was not in the mood to see anybody. He called his secretary and cancelled his whole day before getting in the shower.
"You are supposed to meet with your father today" she said over the phone.
"Just tell him that I am busy, if he needs me he knows where to find me" Woo Bin said before hanging up. His father was the last person he wanted to see right now.
He stepped out of the shower and towel dried his hair and pushed it out of his face. He wore a pair of black pants and a belt. He pulled out a thick blue buttoned sweater and pulled it over his head on top of his gray tee shirt. He looked in the mirror and straightened out the sweater and pulled on a pair of black shoes. He slipped on his watch and headed down the stairs when he smelled vanilla from the kitchen. Woo Bin did not remember asking his maid to make breakfast and he realized it was not his maid at all when he heard a familiar voice.
"So then you just add the chocolate chips" Jae Kyung showed the two young maids.
He smiled briefly; she looked good in anything she wore but the pink apron made him feel like he was home not just in his house.
"I did not realize that I hired a new maid" he teased her and she looked up and smiled. Her hair was up in a messy bun with a few loose pieces falling by her face. His two maids stepped back and bowed noticing Woo Bin in the room.
"You can't afford me" she said smiling.
"Oh really?" he said but laughed.
"So how come you are not going to work?" she asked.
"How did you know?" he asked but realized something and spoke up again, "Did my secretary tell you again?"
"Of course, she likes me more than she likes you" Jae Kyung teased him.
"Very funny, and why aren't you at work?" he asked her.
"I was tired from all the meetings this week so I decided to take a day off and I was driving to your office but I called to check you had gone to work and now I am here since your maids told me you had not had breakfast yet" she explained.
"Did they now?" he said looking at them as they both looked down.
"Oh please girls don't be scared, he is harmless" she said approaching him, "Right?" she asked him standing inches away.
"Wrong" he said closing the gap between their bodies and she blinked rapidly. He reached up to her face and gently wiped flour away from her face. She looked perfect in her apron and messy hair. Her big eyes and long eye lashes looked into his and for a brief moment Woo Bin got lost in a world all his own, in a world in which Jae Kyung's delicate face was the one he woke up to every morning. But he remembered the ring upstairs and quickly said,
"Stop making a mess" taking his hand away and walking to the fridge.
"Fine then I guess you don't want any pancakes" Jae Kyung said.
"Who said that?" he asked.
"I guess I can give you one" she laughed.
"You two can go for today" Woo Bin said to the maids.
"But I need their help" Jae Kyung protested.
"I'll help you" he said sitting on the high chair watching her cook.
"Oh yeah, a lot of help you are" she said.
A couple of minutes later Woo Bin was smiling like a little kid while eating his pancakes.
"You know I tried making these once and it did not go over so well" he said.
"I can only imagine" she laughed, "I left a recipe in the top right drawer so you can try making them when I am not here".
"Where would you be?" he asked quickly.
"Well" she said taking a sip of her milk, "I have to go back to China soon and I don't think your girlfriend would like it very much if I came here every morning and cooked you pancakes; maybe she can learn to make you some" she said the last line sadly.
"Doubt it" he said and she looked up, "she is not much of a cook".
"Anyways, what are we doing today?" she asked wanting his girlfriend to be the last subject of discussion.
"Are you volunteering me to spend the day with you princess?" he asked.
"Can you find of a better way to spend the day?" she asked smiling as she placed the dishes in the sink.
"Not really" he said.
"Okay then, lead the way" she smiled removing her apron.
…..